Wednesday, November 25, 2009

This Year I'm Thankful For...by Jennifer Wemhoff, The Groundwater FoundationI remember back in elementary school around Thanksgiving our teachers always had us go around the room and say what we were thankful for. I remember hearing things like “I’m thankful for my video games” or “I’m thankful for my new bike” or even “I’m thankful that I don’t have to share a room with my new little brother.” Our perspectives have obviously changed since the third grade! I’m thankful for so many things this year – my husband and family, great friends, good health, a job I enjoy, and even the Husker football team winning the Big 12 North title.

But in reflecting a little harder on the holiday this year, my list of thanks got bigger. I’m thankful to live in a country where we have some of the best drinking water in the world. I’m thankful there are people, agencies, and organizations that work to protect drinking water supplies. I’m thankful, of course, for groundwater, which nourishes my husband and family, my friends, my health, and even the Huskers.

When thinking about the big picture, groundwater should be at the top of people’s Thanksgiving lists. It’s so much more than a natural resource. It directly or indirectly enables us to enjoy those other things on our list. Because without clean, safe, sustainable supplies of drinking water, of which groundwater plays a huge part, we’re all in trouble. And I’m certain no one’s thankful for that!

What about you? What are you thankful for this year? Is groundwater high on your list?

Friday, November 6, 2009

Communities utilizing water as an economic stimulus?! Is this a new trend? If so, is it a wise one? Or does it further devalue this resource that is so vital?

I recently read about a community offering job producing businesses deeply discounted water rates in order to get them to re-locate to their community. Is this a first? Will other communities follow? What impacts will this have on a community’s water system?

I understand the need to draw businesses to communities so that jobs are available, but at what cost?